Mayor Hubbard speaks to DoCo Kiwanis

Albany, Ga. – Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard challenged members of the Kiwanis Club of Dougherty County to be “cheerleaders for our city” during remarks at the club’s March 11 lunch meeting.

Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard (far left) shows great pleasure in meeting Kiwanis of Dougherty County members after her March 11 program to club. From second left are Kiwanians Betts Smith, Larry Price, and Carolyn Gay.

She said people who have visited here tell her they don’t understand local residents make negative comments about the city, considering all the community has to offer.

Mayor Hubbard conducted her program by noting what has been accomplished since she took office in January 2011, as well as future plans: cleanup of blighted areas and neighborhood adoptions to eradicate litter; participation in the Economic Development Commission’s strategic plan and education of the public on economic development; meetings with the media about their role in moving Albany forward; crime prevention techniques and new technology such as license tag readers in police cruisers; community involvement in crime solving and prevention; planned discussions with the district attorney on crime intervention; participation with Phoebe Putney Hospital in health care initiatives; involvement with the Marine Corps Logistics Base, which employs almost 5,000, to maintain and enhance its role in the community.

Among other things to be thankful in the city, the mayor noted, are the new 311 information call system; a convention and visitors bureau that won first place in statewide competition; the Albany Marathon that drew more than 1,400 runners this year and is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon; construction of a new airport terminal; the building of a new senior citizen center; thermal imaging readers in city fire trucks that will help to determine and expedite rescues during blazes; and a citizens academy to enable residents to learn more about law enforcement, including its structure, procedures, techniques, and equipment.

Mayor Hubbard also spoke about city officials’ recent trip to Washington, D.C., in which they met with Marine Corps brass and made an unsuccessful attempt to meet with postal service officials on the fate of the downtown post office. The post office efforts will continue, with hopes the postal service will allow an outside contractor to come in and maintain the boxes currently located in the facility.